Sars forces Chinese out

Two Chinese runners have withdrawn from Sunday's Rotterdam marathon because of the Sars virus, even though there is no suggestion they are infected with the potentially fatal flu-like complaint.

Sun Yingjie and Jin Li have been barred to allay possible unease among athletes competing in the race.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome, first identified in southern China in November, has killed more than 100 people worldwide and infected more than 2,500 others.

"It's a precautionary measure," said Mario Kadiks, the race director. "We want to prevent any psychological concerns that top athletes might have during their stay in Rotterdam, where they will be in one hotel."

Sun, who finished second in the 2002 Beijing Marathon in 2hr 21min 21sec, is the latest protege of the coach Ma Junren.